FSU softball ready for wild, wild Midwest

The third-ranked Florida State softball team wore cowboy hats, overalls and boots for its trip to Oklahoma City for the Women's College World Series. It was just the latest themed road trip for the Seminoles.

Oklahoma City – Heads turned when the Florida State softball team walked into the Sheraton hotel Tuesday afternoon in downtown Oklahoma City.

The Seminoles, who are one of eight teams in town for the Women's College World Series, donned cowboy hats, overalls, bandannas around their necks and cowboy boots galore.

While it was drastically different from the school-issued sweat pants and T-shirts many of the other teams traveled in, the eighth-seeded 'Noles believe their fun-loving approach is part of the reason they have been so successful this season.

"We're just weird," third baseman Briana Hamilton said. "We like to do funny things and we're really laid back. It's just a way for us to not be so serious all the time. We get to make jokes and make it fun along the way. It is a business trip, but we're making memories in the process."

With a 55-7 record, an Atlantic Coast Conference championship and a World Series appearance, it is difficult to argue against FSU's unconventional approach.

For the Seminoles, a post-game interview on national television is an opportunity to video bomb a teammate or coach. And a road trip is an opportunity to have fun with a travel destination and play dress-up.

"I went to school here at Oklahoma, so I definitely know it's a country area," said FSU coach Lonni Alameda, who was an infielder for the Oklahoma Sooners in the early 1990s. "We did some two-steppin' in my time when I was up here."

This is the third road trip the Seminoles assigned a theme to this year. For previous trips the players, coaches and support staff dressed up as "tacky tourists" and hunters.

It's an idea that was borrowed from the Tampa Bay Rays, who have had Miami Vice, Johnny Cash and hippie-themed trips over the years.

"We have fun with it," Alameda said. "I think it just keeps us loose and gets us to laugh at each other and laugh with each other, and have some fun."

After landing in rainy Oklahoma City in the early afternoon, the Seminoles got some batting practice in at an indoor facility.

"It was just fun," Hamilton said. "It's different because we got a charter (plane) and just getting luxury things that we usually don't get. It's just big time."

Today, the Seminoles will head to OGE Energy Field to practice in the park where they will face No. 1 Oregon on Thursday. The Seminoles will also spend more than two hours with national and local media.

"I feel like we might enjoy it more because this isn't routine for us," Hamilton said. "We haven't been here in almost a decade. So this is kind of like a big turning point in our program. It's a time for us to show people what Florida State softball's about, what the future holds and we're just going to make it fun and stay as relaxed as possible, like we've done all year."